Safety: What to Look for in a Barn

Check a barn electrical panel to make sure it's in good order and inspected.

Photo: Rebecca Gimenez

In a recent online "Horse Behavior
and Safety" course with University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) I asked my
students to contribute their ideas as to what concerns they should look for in
selecting a new stable for their horse.

At this point, they had participated for two weeks in an intense online
course that focuses on handler and horse safety in numerous situations, and
facility safety concerns from barn fire prevention to trailer safety.Their answers and tips were quite insightful--and I would like to share them with you.Out of the hundreds of students and comments, I have trimmed them down
for this blog post.

First, numerous students noted that it's nice to visit by
appointment, but that you might want to consider "just stopping by" a couple
days after your appointment unannounced. What goes on when people are
expecting you to visit is sometimes different that what happens day-to-day.Several noted that they like to talk to other boarders and working
students about any issues with how the facility is run to get a feel for the
daily ins and outs of maintenance and attitudes towards safety.Others said they like to watch some lessons
being given and just observe for a couple of hours at feeding time and while
the barn is being cleaned so they can see if the management and staff
are doing safe practices with horses (especially leading them back and forth to
pastures, etc.).

Some of my concerns reach into environmental care, such as whether
the farm fences off the ponds and water sources so that a) horses don't
destroy the riparian environment, and b) no horse falls into the ice in winter.Others branch into asking if they keep the
horses out on pasture as much as possible (considering the weather), so they get
to be a herd and simulate mother nature's environmental effects (exercise,
grazing, grooming, etc.).Yes,that's a
medical concern too, because frantic bored horses
in stalls for too long get themselves in trouble (cast, colic, kicking, stereotypic behaviors, etc.). These resonated with many students who shared similar issues with current and past barns where they've boarded.

I like to look at where they keep trailers and vehicles away--preferably away from the barn so that the fire department (or veterinarian) has
room to reach the facility in an emergency, but also so that there's room to
load and unload horses safely and preferably not on asphalt.

One of my very accomplished students, Jo, actually owns a
large barn and contributed:

Check the fences. All of them. Yourself.
(Boarding barns don't always put your horse in the paddock you were told he'd
would go in).

Check the feeding routine. Be there at feeding time if possible to see how it
is done and if the procedures they say they follow are actually followed,
especially if they are letting in large numbers of horses without individually
leading them.

And lastly, do they
have stable safety rules posted in a prominent place? Are these rules enforced
and do the other boarders know what they are?

Sharon, another student echoed her sentiments: "I would like
to see good 'horse-proof' fencing (if there is such a thing). I would even be
satisfied with 24/7 turnout. If they were stabled, I'd want it to be
light and airy and ventilated--I have seen so many stuffy barns with humidity
and lung problems."

New horse owner Verena said, "I would want to see some
fire extinguishers--especially the big ones--and make sure they are in the green zone."Shewent on to agree about checking stalls, fencing, and feeders/hay feeders for nails, broken, boards and wire.

Felicia agreed with the above observations and then noted, "Whether
it is my trailer or the owners of the facility allow boarders to use theirs, it
should be in an area easily accessible to retrieve and load my horse in an
emergency--like taking it to the vet.I
look for 'No Smoking' signs and keeping an eye out for anyone smoking near the
barn (if visiting to check out the place for the first time I would look on the
ground for cigarette butts). It would be a bonus if there were stall doors on
the outside of the barn that led to a paddock(s) in case of emergencies like a
barn fire. Sprinklers would be the grand prize winner! Finally, one of the
major things I would like to see is that the hay and bedding is stored in a
separate building away from the barn."

Nancy was particularly concerned about maintaining a
rotation schedule for grazed paddocks so that the horses had a chance to eat
grass, and the paddocks get a chance to rest in between, and provide a more
natural environment for the horses.Although this might not seem like a safety issue, we know from research
that horses that have room and time to socialize with a herd and spend time
exercising tend not to get themselves in as much stress and do dumb things to
get themselves hurt.

A Canadian, Sharon's concerns harked back to this past winter. "I would like to find some way to open outside doors easier," she said. "The main doors are often sliding doors at many facilities and the snow/ice
build up so much that it makes it nearly impossible to open them.If you can't get your horse out, that is a
major safety concern."

In response Jo said, "I designed my barn with overhead garage doors at each end of the aisle...I don't have to move any snow to open them.".

Monica is very detailed and says she likes to ask, “How many
people are trained in first aid and equine first aid? Who is the specific vet and
farrier for emergencies? Do they conduct safety audits on a regular basis, for example, check gates, secure latches? What about perimeter fencing around
the property in case a horse gets out of the paddock?"

Then she really hit on a good one: "What
experience/training do the stable owners and management have, and are they present
to oversee people that work there who may not be as experienced?"

Other items that she mentioned were, "Halters on or off in
the stalls? Other animals on the property (dogs) that have access to the
horses? Check the feed room for signs of rodent infestation."

Ann is another list maker, and after agreeing with many
others above, she noted that she wants to see “run-ins in the field
providing shelter from heat, wind, rain, and snow. Most importantly, a certificate of a fire safety inspection,
which is annually updated.”

Lastly, Colleen asked, "Is a responsible person on the
premises 24/7/365? What safety procedures are in place (emergency
telephone numbers, first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, mandatory use of helmets)? And,
Is the local fire department trained to handle horses in emergencies?"

What are your thoughts?How would you contribute to a similar
checklist?Did you go though a good
check of your current facility when you moved in, or did you rely on the good
name of the facility or a friend’s recommendation?How do you communicate your concerns to the
barn management when you find a broken item or safety concern?

About the Author

REBECCA

Rebecca Gimenez, BS, PhD (animal physiology), Primary Instructor and President of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue. Her first book, Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, was published in 2008. She is an internationally sought instructor in technical rescue techniques, procedures, and methodologies, and she has published numerous critiques, articles and journal submissions on horse safety, technical large animal rescue and horse handling issues.

Comments

The views expressed in the posts and comments of this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Horse or Blood-Horse Publications. They should be understood as the personal opinions of the author. All readers are encouraged to leave comments; all points of view are welcome, but comments that are discourteous and/or off-topic may be removed.

Do they quarantine new horses or those that have traveled? Do they have a place they could quarantine if a horse became ill? Do they allow people from other places to bring horses in for the day to ride with friends or to take a lesson?

Do they allow stallions, if so does everyone handling them seem competent?

If a horse lays down is he at risk of getting breaking a leg, can his foot stuck under his stall door.

What is the quality of the hay? Where & how is it stored? Are there opossums or other creatures that can access the area? Do they leave food out for cats (that opossums would be attracted to)?

Are there chemicals being stored in the same area as the feed?

What does the water being offered to the horses look like?

Is there a place for storing tack, is it shared space or can things be locked?

Tanya

27 Mar 2014 2:29 PM

I'm very big on safety. For me that far outweighs any bling a farm might have. Happy to say that the facility where I board is ticking the boxes. We do have food out for the barn cats but haven't ever seen anything else eating said food. Except occasionally the trainer's dog who is otherwise well behaved.

Pam

27 Mar 2014 5:09 PM

I like to see that any new horse have proof of current vaccination, prior coming into the barn as well as been quarantined for 2 weeks once there. Also would like to see a reserved stall aside from the rest of the barn to contain any possible horse with infection. All new horses should be on probation in the barn for 2 months,so the owner/horse owner can see if the horse is compatible with the rest of the horses

ELIZABETH

27 Mar 2014 5:58 PM

Make sure that the barn is kept clean of dust and cobwebs. If there is a fire, it will spread more quickly if those things exist. There should also be smoke alarms which are heard in the residence. Make sure you have an emergency evacuation plan for the horses...if they are inside and evacuated, where can they be safely and quickly put away from the fire. Ideally each stall should have two doors - one to the outside of the barn attached to a paddock or pasture.

Freya

28 Mar 2014 12:27 PM

How far is it from the barn to the paddocks/pastures (in case of need to get horses out if a fire) and is there a gate that can be shut in case a horse gets loose, to keep the horse on the property safely?

What are the electricity connections? Concern re: light needed in the barn/stalls, power needed for clippers,water heaters, and the safety of the wiring (to avoid barn fires).

Gail

30 Mar 2014 4:35 AM

Are water troughs kept clean of algae, etc.? Is fresh clean water always available? (Especially in winter)Is hay always available? Is there a mineralized salt lick available? Is wash stall safe with a properly working drain? Is the plumbing straight forward and easy to use? Especially if hot and cold water available. Is the main aisle kept clean and unobstructed? Are fans used on extremely hot days? Check hardware and ease of stall door too open and close. Be sure door cannot be opened by horse. Be sure poisonous weeds, plants,and animal burrows are not in pastures.

Check pastures and paddocks after a hard rain to see how muddy they get. Is there good drainage? How bad are the horse flies/bombers in August? Can make it unbearable for horse and rider.

Debra

01 Apr 2014 8:37 PM

Ask how many injured horses are there, and how did they get injured. Very telling.

Kathy

02 Apr 2014 11:49 AM

What is the policy on horses with hind shoes turned out together?

Sue

02 Apr 2014 7:46 PM

I moved out of state and had a friend of mine transport my horse when my horse left he was fine however when we got to our new state and new home I noticed he was all broke out in hives all over, not understanding why he got them I had bathed him twice a day and he got better within a week.Anyone know why this happened? A friend of mine moved him so I do not know how often they stopped.

then two months later I started to notice he was loosing alot of weight bad, He was on the same feed and same amount of hay. My wife and I were out a lot is it possible somebody was slowly poisoning him? We had moved one more time in the same general area and now he is fine again been, as a matter of fact he is over weight, yes I worm him regular anyone out there have advice on any of these two problems? What can I do to prevent it from happening again with either problem? He has never had these problems before or since this occurrence thank you all for any and all advice..

Michael

05 Apr 2014 9:02 PM

WOW - all of you had excellent questions to add to the list - I hope that when people are transporting their horses they will consider these types of situations. I was on the phone last night with a journalist asking similar questions for an article - and I actually referred her to this page for ideas - thanks!

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